Inter Set Their Sights on Barca Target in Their Quest of Appointing 'Strong' Boss to Replace Pioli

Cameron Ramsey

90Min8 April 2017

​Inter Milan will look to replace current manager Stefano Pioli in readiness for next season. Pioli has failed to gain full backing from the club's board, despite mopping up Frank de Boer's mess, during his time at the San Siro. A contingency plan for the coming 2017-18 Serie A season has started to take shape.

Suning Group, the Nerrazzuri owners, are said to be looking for a 'strong man' to steer the helm at the San Siro, and according to a report provided by Calciomercato, Sevilla's prolific manager Jorge Sampaoli has been pinpointed as the favourite of the few potential candidates.

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The other probable names in contention for the managerial position - if Inter fail in their bid to lure Sampaoli - consist of Fabio Capello, Monaco's Leonardo Jardim and AS Roma's Luciano Spaletti.

Chelsea's Antonio Conte and Atletico Madrid's Diego Simeone are said to be the calibre of leader Suning Group are vying for. However both mangers respectively have insisted upon their desire to stay at their current clubs.

Pioli is being urged by Inter's owners to end the remainder of the season on a high. Inter recently lost a vital Serie A tie 2-1 against Sampdoria at home, a defeat which meant qualifying for next years Champions League is almost out of reach.

Sampaoli has successfully guided Sevilla in the right direction this season, and has fashioned a squad which could compete competently with the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona for the duration of the 2016-17 La Liga campaign.

Barcelona's current boss Luis Enrique revealed earlier this season that he will leave the Camp Nou in the summer, and Sampaoli has also been touted to take the reigns at the Catalan giants.

Inter Milan have been tailing Sampaoli for some time now. Although the 57-year-old could be swayed away from club management altogether, with Argentina interested in acquiring his qualities following the recent sacking of Edgardo Bauza.

The highly-regarded manager, who is an Argentine national, has previous international coaching experience with fellow south American's Chile.